ENCORE: Jerry Pezzetti Helps Define Ankeny Through his Legacy, Lessons

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To some of his football players, nothing better defines Ankeny than Jerry Pezzetti. 

Pezzetti, who has coached the Ankeny Hawks varsity football team for more than four decades, now has a title to go along with his team’s sentiment. Last month, at the ’s annual dinner, Pezzetti was named 2012 Ankeny Citizen of the Year.

To senior and football player Jordan Bauer, this was no surprise.

“He has Ankeny written all over him,” Bauer said. “He’s a great guy and he’s someone you can relate to. He definitely cares about this town.”

What does Ankeny football coach and 2012 Ankeny Citizen of the Year Jerry Pezzetti mean to you? And the community? Tell us in comments, below.

The Ankeny Citizen of the Year is selected via nominations submitted by Chamber members. A committee then reviews the nominations before last year’s recipient selects the winner. 

Pezzetti’s Ankeny Ties Date Back 43 Years 

Pezzetti moved to Ankeny in 1969, the same year he was married. Prior to moving here, he taught for seven years in Melcher.

“I worked for in college and had several friends here,” Pezzetti said on part of his family’s decision to move to Ankeny. 

In addition to coaching the football team, Pezzetti also taught physical education. When he first started working for the district, Ankeny was the smallest in a conference that included the Saydel and Tama districts. The high school also was located where Parkview Middle School is now.

“As the years went by, I’ve definitely seen some major changes,” he said.

Although Pezzetti retired from teaching 10 years ago this May, he continued coaching football, which in itself is a full-time job.

But Pezzetti doesn’t mind.

“I enjoy being involved with these young people, even if it’s just giving them someone to talk to,” he said. “This is a full-time job when you have more than 200 kids in the football program.”

Citizen of the Year Honor Was a Big Surprise

Prior to the Chamber’s annual dinner, Pezzetti said he was “set up.”

“Ron Sampson asked me if I would go,” Pezzetti said, adding Sampson informed him Iowa State University football coach and Ankeny High School graduate Paul Rhoads would be there and Sampson wanted Pezzetti to say a few words about his former player.

When Pezzetti showed up at the dinner, Rhoads was there, and so were many members of Pezzetti’s football staff.

“Ron got up there to speak, but then he started talking about me, not Paul,” Pezzetti said. “It all happened so fast I didn’t really have time to think about it.”

Pezzetti is appreciative of the honor and all those who came to the dinner to support him.

“It’s important to me to have people who really care. To me, that’s what life is all about,” Pezzetti said.

Football Players Say Award is Well-Deserved

Arguably, there are few who know Pezzetti better than the young men he coaches and mentors on a daily basis. Bauer spent two years on the varsity team learning from his coach.

Bauer’s dad, Jeff, also was one of Pezzetti’s players when he was in high school. Bauer called his coach “inspiring.”

“Anyone who’s been around as long as he has is going to know a lot about this game,” Bauer said. “He’s a great coach, a great person.” 

Fellow senior and player Jorden Studer also spent two years on the varsity team. This fall, he’ll be playing for the Cyclones under Rhoads.

Studer called Pezzetti “intelligent and motivating.”

“He’s loud,” Studer said, “but only to make sure he gets his point across so you’re doing the best job you can.”

Pezzetti has taught Studer how to be a leader, Studer said, how to wholeheartedly reach for his goals and to never give up.

“He’s taught us to never quit when times are bad,” Studer said. “He’s not just a coach — he’s a good role model and a friend.”

For Pezzetti, Ankeny Continues to be a Great Place to Live

Pezzetti thoroughly enjoys living in Ankeny and being a part of the community.

“It offers so many things,” he said. “There are good people here and a great student body.”

And if it wasn’t for the community, the high school football program he’s spent 43 years building wouldn’t be what it is today.

“Groups like the football parents committee have been so supportive of the students because they know the students are number one,” Pezzetti said.

Today, Pezzetti remains grateful to those who nominated him for the award.

“It’s an honor for them to think about me,” he said. “I just want to thank them.”